Minister announces £1.6m boost for Historic Buildings

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani today announced that more than £1.6 million has been awarded in Historic Scotland grants.

Five projects, including two castles and the station house of the world’s first roll-on roll-off ferry, will benefit from the Building Repair Grant scheme.

Ms Fabiani said: “By giving grants to these outstanding historic buildings we are making sure that they will continue to be used. They will provide facilities for businesses and community groups alongside opportunities for traditional skills training and jobs.

“By investing in and enhancing our heritage we preserve the identity, history and landscapes of Scotland’s villages, towns and cities.”

The Building Repair Grant Scheme helps protect the nation’s architectural heritage and has seen more than £150 million invested by Historic Scotland in the last 15 years.

The projects supported in this round of Historic Scotland grants are:

Earlstoun CastleApplicant – The Vivat Trust£274,120
Work will be carried out on the tower to make it wind and watertight and reinstate important timber panelling in the Great Hall.
Laura Norris, Vivat Trust Director, said: “The Vivat Trust is delighted that Historic Scotland has decided to support the repair and conversion of Earlstoun Castle into holiday accommodation. Earlstoun is a remarkable survival and the Vivat Trust looks forward to working with the Earlstoun and Sanquhar Trust on the project which will secure the failing fabric, including a roof that is unlikely to survive another winter, as well as an array of fragile original features.
“The Vivat Trust is thrilled that Historic Scotland has recognized the significance of this building. With this grant, the castle’s future is certainly more secure.”

Dunvegan Castle, Isle of SkyeHugh MacLeod£594,188
A three-year programme of work to repair and renew the lead flat roof coverings and guttering will be carried out. This will prevent further water damage and protect the castle fabric and interiors.
Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod Estate said: “Dunvegan Castle is an iconic building which constitutes an important part of Scotland’s built heritage. It is a key driver of economic growth on the Isle of Skye, acting as a magnate for over one hundred thousand visitors every year. Although this is the first stage of a long process that will take many years to accomplish, I am very grateful to Historic Scotland for supporting my aim of securing this vital historic asset for future generations to enjoy.”

Kelvinside Academy, GlasgowKelvinside Academy War Memorial Trust£260,495
Repairs will be carried out to the roof of this category A listed school to prevent the original structure and stonework deteriorating due to water penetration.
John Broadfoot, Rector of Kelvinside Academy, said: “This is great news for Kelvinside Academy and the many local community groups who regularly use the school’s facilities. The grant will help us preserve the beautiful and architecturally important building that we occupy for future generations and its award recognises the charitable purposes of the school and the wider public benefit that we provide.”

Station House, BurntislandFife Historic Building Trust£275,000
Grant funding will be used for a comprehensive scheme of repairs to restore and convert Station House into business and community space. The building has been unused for more than seven years and is on the Buildings at Risk Register.
Alan Lodge of the Fife Historic Buildings Trust said: “The Trust is absolutely delighted that Historic Scotland has decided to support this exciting project. Together with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Burntisland Development Trust, the Architectural Heritage Fund and others, the Trust is now confident that the project will proceed and this historic building can be brought back into productive use, for the benefit of the local community."

Renfrew Town HallRenfrewshire Council£236,825
It is proposed that original architectural features are restored internally and externally with conservation specialists enlisted to look at the stained glass and plasterwork. Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said: "This significant funding boost is the latest stage in what we intend to be a comprehensive refurbishment and extension of this famous Renfrew landmark.
“Renfrewshire Council has consulted the community on our ambitious plans to restore this iconic building and it's our intention to take forward viable and realistic long-term plans to secure this unique part of Renfrew's heritage."

Notes for editors

Additional quotes from the Minister on each project are available from Lesley Brown at the email address below.

Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk.

A total of £1,640,628 has been awarded in this round of funding.

A series of criteria are used to decide on grants, including the social, educational and economic benefits the project would bring to the community as well as the urgency of the repairs.

At this stage the grant offers are conditional and projects have to gain all the necessary permissions and meet all agreed delivery conditions.

Historic Scotland is delighted to be supporting the 2009 Year of Homecoming with a series of initiatives including family trails, spectacular events and the creation of a Homecoming Pass for heritage attractions in association with other heritage organisations